Tag Archives: hair styles
April 23, 2012 

Fancy Pants: Natural Hairstyles For Weddings (& Other Formal Events)

 

Photo via africanamericanweddinghairstyles.blogspot.ca

Is it just me, or does it feel like April was a total blur? For me, that means that lots of awesome and fun things are just around the corner – and Wedding Season 2012 is about to kick off! This post is dedicated to those natural-haired brides and wedding guests who are looking for hair ideas for the big day!

A Few Things To Consider:

  • Weather predictions: Will it be hot and humid? What about if it’s a damp, rainy day? Think about how your hair type holds up in different kinds of weather.
  • Wedding time: Are you doing an evening ceremony, or is it earlier in the day? Consider how early you’re willing to get up and get started on hair prep, and how much time you’ll be able to devote to the process.
  • Leaving on a jet plane? If you’re leaving for your honeymoon immediately after the wedding, you might want a style that will carry you through the vacation as well…
  • Dress/Accessory style: Halter? Sweetheart? Detailed back? Dangly earrings? Birdcage veil? The type of dress and accompanying accessories will play into the hairstyle you choose.
  • Personality: What’s your personal style? In my opinion, it’s good to do something extra-special for the day, but don’t deviate too much from what you’re comfortable with. You should still be YOU.
  • Your hands or someone else’s? Are you hiring a stylist or prepping your style on your own?
  • Hair length and type: Make sure to work with your hair, not against it!

Many brides feel that natural kinks and curls cannot be gussied up and fancified for glamorous events, and nothing could be further from the truth! Straightening safely is always an option (it’s the one I took last year), but it’s not your ONLY one. Here are some looks that prove my point:

Photo via munaluchibridal.com

Photo via essence.com

Photo via essence.com

Photo via essence.com

Photo via offbeatbride.com

Photo via offbeatbride.com

Photo via visualize.us

Photo via africanamericanweddinghairstyles.blogspot.ca

Many beautiful styles can be created by working with our natural hair. Braids, twists, flexi rods, roller sets, wash n’ go fros, TWAs, updos, half up/half down styles – all can be worked into something special for that big day or important event. Many people are still of the mindset that while natural hair is great, it still ‘needs’ to be straightened for a fancy outing. When I first started wearing my hair naturally, I echoed that sentiment and straightened my hair for any special event. As I’ve learned to do new things with my hair, I’ve had so much more fun creating intricate and glamorous styles on my own! Natural-haired ladies often praise the versatility of their kinks, curls, and waves – don’t forget about that versatility when it comes to your wedding (or other formal event) style!

What is your favourite natural formal style? Do you tend to reach for the flat iron or do you rock the curls? Are you a natural-haired bride-to-be? How is the hairstyle decision-making going? If you were a natural-haired bride, how did you wear your hair for the big day?

 

February 10, 2012 

Hair Boredom: What To Do When You Need Something New

Hey y’all! I got a few posts out this week, but still feel neglectful :( I had an assignment due for one of the classes I’m taking this semester (I’m finishing up a post-grad certificate in Health Promotion), so I had to devote a lot of research and writing time to that.

TGIF in a major way though! It’s shaping up to be another busy weekend, but I’m looking forward to catching up on some sleep and FINALLY doing something with my hair! It’s been draped up in a tired bun for the past few days, so I can’t wait to wash and make it look half-decent.

Can’t lie though – I’ve been getting increasingly bored with my hair. My usual two-strand twist-out is getting PLAYED out, so I need something new, and fast. Part of this yearning for newness likely also has to do with the fact that the days are getting longer, which means spring is just around the corner (even though we’ve been enjoying a crazy mild winter in Toronto). With spring comes all things fresh and new, and I always get the urge to switch things up once winter thaws out. But what to do?

Photo souce: Party Over Hair

I’ve been dreaming about twists for a while now. Thick kinky twists, small Senegalese twists…this style is so easy yet so versatile. I’d love to rock some super-long twists to get the best of both worlds: I can take a hair break AND still have crazy style options? Where do I sign up?

Photo source: Popstar

Even further back than the twists, I’ve had colour on my mind. I usually go light for the spring/summer, but skipped 2011. I’m craving some multi-dimensional pops of colour, and Tanika Ray has always been my hair dye dream girl. I’ve coloured before with no real damage, so I’m not afraid to take that leap. Some sunshiny-bright hair would definitely give me a new look, so maybe that’s the way to go…

Maybe I just need to do a quick lil’ flat iron and rock some straight locks for a while? I haven’t straightened my hair in a few months, so maybe that’s the change I need. The only thing that annoys me about straight hair is having to wrap it at night…sometimes a girl just wants to throw it in a bun and jump in the sack! I can’t be bothered with the extra work at times – but it definitely allows me to keep my ‘do looking fresh for a LONG time. A good wrap at night = no need to do any touch-ups with the flat iron. I got a great trim at my last hair appointment and I’ve been working hard to protect my ends, so it would be nice to see how much length I’ve gained/retained…

With my favourite cup - one that I got at my 3rd birthday party!

Makeup-less...but I could have at least put a lil Vaseline on my lips :/

With the little sis!

…or maybe I just need to stop being lazy. If I put in more effort, I’m sure I could make the most of what I’ve got! I was (at one point) pretty creative with updos (like the top photo – loose flat twisted front into a low bun) – if I took the time, I’m sure I could come up with something cute! I could also pull out some heat protectant serum with my trusty blow dryer and do a blown-out wash n’ go (like second photo) or blow my hair out prior to twisting. Or, I could take my own advice and get busy with my Curlformers (used in third photo)! I’ve been meaning to rock with them as of late, so I need to be like Nike and just do it. Maybe the only change I need is to make some more time for myself and explore something other than a bun or a twist-out. Could the answer be so simple?

Anyone out there also stuck in a hair rut? Do you have any big plans for a new spring style? Have an idea for a style I should try? Let a sista know!

January 19, 2012 

Not Quite Short But Not Quite Long: Styling Hair In The “In-Between” Phase

I recently had a friend hit me up on Facebook, asking for details about my NYE hair style. She said, “Please tell me how you get your hair like you have in your current profile pic? I’m looking for my options for natural hair styles. My hair is much shorter so it may not look so fro-fabulous, but I’m willing to try.” That took me back to the days when my hair was much shorter than it is now, and the constant thoughts of “What am I going to do with it today?”

As I’ve mentioned before, I transitioned to natural hair for one year, then did my big chop in August of 2008. My hair was the shortest it had ever been, and I had no clue how to style it. My favourite online resource was Fotki, a photography site where I found a ton of naturalistas congregating and sharing their hair regimens and styles. I quickly created an account and joined the network of women documenting their journeys from big chops and beyond. For women who did the ultimate big chop, I heard from many of them that things get a bit frustrating when they start to gain a bit of length. I took some time to look back at my hair in those early days, and thought to post some of those photos here for anyone who needs some inspiration. If your hair is not really short, but not really long – this post is for you!

(click photos to enlarge)

This was the first picture I took when I left the salon that did my big chop.The look on my face says it all: "WTF???" I had zero clue what I was doing...lol!

Just after a photo shoot - hair was in a twist-out, which was my go-to style in the early days.

A month after the BC (big chop), I had my hair professionally styled for a wedding. Cornrows on one side, with coils that were released for a full, curly look. Loved it!

This was the first time I tried a twist-out on dry hair - I loved the stretch and the fluffiness of it!

Here, I tried doing a twist-out with really small twists. Led to an entirely new look, with much more defined curls. Pinned back the front and sides, and was good to go!

During that in-betweeny phase, hair accessories like bobby pins, clips, and scarves were by BFFs. Here, I used a silk scarf to pull my curls back into a pouf.

I started doing braid-outs with coiled ends, and got a different, but defined look.

A two-day old braid-out - in that early stage, braid-outs stretched my hair and gave me a bit more length than I thought I had.

An oldie but goodie from January 2009 - I used bobby pins to shape almost every style I did. Who's that on that far right? Rowena from nubiansoulslocks.blogspot.com!

For the days when I wanted to let my twists chill for a bit, I pulled out the crochet hat...cute and simple style, especially if I knew my twists weren't dry enough to undo!

What were my favourite products back in the early days? I used Pantene Pro-V’s Relaxed & Natural conditioner, Queen Helene’s conditioner, Aussie’s 3-Minute Miracle, Elasta QP Mango leave-in conditioner, Ramoni leave-in conditioner (mixed with extra virgin olive oil aka EVOO), Organics Lock & Twist Gel, IC Fantasia Gel, and Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Yeah, I was a bit of a product junkie! I’ve simplified a lot since then, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with new naturals indulging in product overload – it’s part of the learning process.

Patience is another part of the in-between phase. Once I started focusing on the health of my hair versus the length of my hair, I began to enjoy the whole journey even more. Now that my hair has grown, I look back and realize that certain styles actually looked better then than now! Sometimes the quest for long hair is overrated – if that’s your goal, then by all means, go for it! Just don’t forget to enjoy where you are right now. Natural hair lends itself well to many different style options, so try them all! Twist-outs, braid-outs, coil-outs – do them on wet hair, do them on dry hair, do them on lightly blow-dried hair, do them big or small. Wash n’ gos, careful flat ironing…the options are endless! Get creative and enjoy!

Are you smack dab in the middle of this “in-between” phase right now? Are you enjoying it, or are you waiting for more length? If you have any style or product tips that have worked for you, let us know!

January 9, 2012 

The Perfect ‘Lazy Hair Day’ Updo

How was your weekend everyone? Mine was a pretty damn good one, I have to say! Friday found me nursing a migraine for the better part of the day, but after a few naps, cups of mint tea, and Aleve gel caps, I was good to go. The weather was perfect for a night out on the town, so the plan was to hit up The Drake Hotel to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

Sidenote: If you’re into classic hip hop, you might want to find yourself at The Drake Hotel on the 1st Friday night of each month for “Never Forget Action” – this party is dope. 

Anyways, because I had lazed around all day while sleeping off my headache, my hair was the definition of HOT MESS. A stretched ‘fro with no curl definition left from my NYE style, smushed up in the back from me lying down all day, with no time to wash. For some reason my trusty bun wasn’t working, so I needed to find an easy updo style, and fast. Thank goodness for YouTube.

I found this quick, easy, and CUTE style via MsAriella89:

YouTube Preview Image

Isn’t it quick? And easy? And CUTE? I was able to whip my hair into this style in a matter of minutes. I’m on the hunt for one of her Scuncsi hair clips, but I was able to recreate the style using bobby pins. I laid my edges down with some water + Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade, and was REHT TAH GO!

I ended up rocking this style all weekend, and it looked better and better every time! It held up well through fake breakdancing in heels, doublefisting holding other people’s drinks, Jones and wukkin’ up at a soca fete, and more! It’s a simple yet versatile style too – create new looks by dressing it up with a scarf or a clip or playing with the sizes and shapes of the front and back humps.

If you’re looking for an easy style to whip your hair into, give this one a try! I’m looking to get into the YouTube video game this year as well, so keep an eye out for more styles!

January 2, 2012 

Big Hair For A Big Year: Hello, 2012!

Happy New Year, y’all! Did you ring in the new year alone? With family? At church? Intoxicated? However you did it, I hope you said “Goodbye 2011/Hello 2012″ with positivity and blessings.

I had a great night out with some friends who hosted a “Chicken & Waffles” get-together at their place. I found out my #1 homieloverfriend is an undercover YouTube DJ – whatchu know about mixing Aaliyah’s “4 Page Letter” with Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”? Needless to say, the night was filled with laughter, kisses, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and grinning so hard my cheeks burned. If that’s what 2012 has in store for me, I’ll take it!

Ever since I did research for my Holiday Hair post, I was determined to try something new with my mop top. However, being short of time, I decided to try an old style that I haven’t done in a while, but with new products. Allow me to introduce you to my dry Bantu knot-out w/ Oyin Handmade’s Burnt Sugar Pomade (purchased at HoneyFig) and Beautiful Curls’ Shea Butter Curl Reviving Tonic (won at I ♥ My Hair’s event)!

  • As of Saturday morning, my hair was in a week-old twist out. It was still pretty cute, but after my early morning power yoga class, it turned into a frizzy, puffy mess.
  • I proceeded to section my hair, and one-by-one, detangled each section with my wide-tooth comb and a few sprays of Beautiful Curls.
  • Once I detangled and sprayed each section, I smoothed a tiny bit of Burnt Sugar Pomade down the length of the section.
  • I made my Bantu knot by two-strand twisting the section, then continuing to twist until the hair coiled into a tight knot. My knots usually stay put on their own, but I sometimes have to use a bobbypin or elastic to hold them in place.
  • I whipped through my head in about 40 minutes and ended up making about 18 Bantu knots:


I tied my hair down with a satin scarf, and went about my day.

About 7 hours later:

I started to undo the Bantu knots – I was left with a ginormous curly/wavy ‘fro…

…and I remembered some annoyances I have with the dry Bantu knot-out. For one, the hair at my nape is very loosely curled and doesn’t hold a style well. In order to define that part of my hair to blend in with the rest, I should have done smaller, tighter knots – what I was left with was a very loose section of hair that just ended up frizzing. I always have to remember that same rule with the middle of my head, which is very kinky and tightly curled – 2 different textures, but both end up frizzing if I don’t do tight enough twists, braids, or knots. I also didn’t realize how big my hair would be once unraveled – the Burnt Sugar Pomade didn’t really define my dry hair, but made it very soft and airy. Eventually I started to like the halo/lioness mane I had going on, and figured big hair = a big year – so I rolled with it!

I ended up pinning back the front, so when I was finished I was left with this:

The style held up well throughout the night and made it to the next day, when I slicked back the front with more Burnt Sugar Pomade + water, pulled my hair up into a huge puff, and tied a satin scarf down on my edges to smooth them out. I think that’s as far as I’ll be able to stretch this dry style, but it served its purpose!

This style showcased my new earrings, so I need to put y’all up on game and let you know about Absynia, one of my favourite shops on Etsy.com! On NYE I rocked the Adeng earrings – beautifully hand-crafted asymmetrical earrings made of silver chain and black & white beads:

Photo via http://www.etsy.com/shop/Absynia

Check Absynia’s site for more gorgeous jewelry and vintage pieces at AMAZING prices! I’m loving Etsy for the opportunity to buy unique pieces and to support creative entrepreneurs who are doing their thing, and plan to support more of that movement in 2012.

First post of 2012! Again, I hope you had a beautifully blessed New Year celebration, no matter how you did it. Any questions about my dry Bantu-knot out or any of the products I used? Want to know more about Absynia? Leave me a comment or hit me up via the Contact page!

December 29, 2011 

Party Time: Holiday Hair Ideas

Photo courtesy of Tom Wang Photography

2012 is just around the corner, and I’ve been taking a lot of time thinking about important things like vision boards, resolutions, and things that I just generally plan to do better in the New Year….however, my thought process has shifted a bit, and now I’m thinking about fun stuff like parties and outfits and hair ‘dos, oh my!

For this NYE, I’m planning on keeping it cute and low-key by hitting up a couple of house parties. Thanks to my lil sis, (the super shopaholic/fashionista) I have some really nice new clothes, so I’m sure I’ll be able to throw a great outfit together. The question remains, what will I do with this hair?

If you’re looking for some fierce natural styles to rock for New Year’s Eve, look no further. Here is some inspiration:

Photos courtesy of Essence.com 

Buns, curls, knots, sparkles, glitter, colour, and shine! Holiday hair at its best! I usually keep things low-key with a nice twist-out, but might try something new this year…I’m loving that top knot and side bun of locks – perfect to display show-stopping accessories or bomb-@ss makeup! Speaking of my loc’d ladies, visit my homegirl Ro’s blog post here for an awesome curly style!

Do you have any big NYE plans? Are you partying it up, or ringing in 2012 at home? What’s your go-to special hairstyle, and what is one you’d like to try?

December 22, 2011 

Protective Styling: The Pros & Cons

It hasn’t started snowing yet in the T-dot, but nevertheless, winter is here! Every winter (since I’ve worn my hair naturally) I have the same plan, and every winter I never follow through with it. What’s that plan, you ask? To put my hair away for a few months and enjoy the wonders of protective styling.

Photo via curlynikki.com

What is protective styling?

In essence, it’s what my mom did with my hair every day as a young girl. It’s what I did for months at a time to “give my hair a break” from relaxer. It’s what I did to transition from relaxed to natural hair. Braids, twists, cornrows, weave – protective styling is a method of “putting your hair away” for one reason or another.

Pros:

  • It’s a time saver: Morning prep time gets cut down in a major way. Going out for a hot night out? You won’t need to do too much to sexify your hair!
  • It is/can be a money saver: Yes, you’ll have to come out of pocket for the style to be done, unless you’re skilled enough to do it yourself, or have a homie that can hook you up – but for product junkies who use a zillion styling aids to create a fly look, you’ll be keeping some money in your pocket and product on your shelves.
  • It can help your hair to grow: I have always found that leaving my hair alone for a good chunk of time yields some awesome growth. I have serious hand-in-hair syndrome, and overly manipulating my hair sometimes causes me problems. Putting my hair in a protective style would eliminate that for a while and allow my hair to thrive. Protective styling keeps your ends safe and saves them from damage – especially during the winter seasons. It’s a good way to keep your hair away from harsh winter weather, and protects your hair from rubbing and snagging on coats, scarves, and hats.
  • Protective styling gives you options for brand new ‘dos: I remember having my hair in some Poetic Justice braids during university. When I pulled those plaits up into a huge bun, I felt like a damn queen! It was so regal! The kinky twists that I wore to transition with enabled me to have a new look almost every day. Protective styling doesn’t have to be boring! Have fun with it!

    Photo via glamcheck.com

Cons:

  • If not done right, protective styling can cause more damage than good: Always ensure that your braids, cornrows, etc. are not done too tightly! When I had my hair braided back in the day, I was told they had to be tight to ensure the longevity of the style. I once got microbraids done – two days later, braids started falling out from the root along my hairline. I almost passed out. Needless to say, that style did not last a third day.
  • It’s not a completely maintenance-free option: Don’t get lazy! Continue to wash your hair with a good clarifying shampoo/conditioner combo to remove buildup from your scalp. Your scalp needs to breathe in order for your hair to grow! Also, don’t keep your style in for too long. If your braids are hanging on for dear life, do them a favour and let them go. Over-extending the life of your style leads to Con #1. And a reminder: eat healthily, drink lots of water, and understand that what goes in your body affects your hair growth just as much (if not more) than what you do with your head.

    Photo via thebraidlady365.com

I forgot to add another “con”, which is why I’ve never followed through with my protective styling plans: you’ll miss your hair! Call me a geek, but I have separation anxiety with my kinks and curls :) I might actually go for it this time, in the hopes that I’ll have even more kinks and curls to play with in a few months! I’ll keep you posted!

Want to DIY? Put your hair into approx. 20 twists, then pin them up or pull them back into a bun! Voila!

Do you have a regular protective styling regimen? What are some other pros and cons you’ve found? What are your favourite protective styles? If you have any horror or success stories, do share!

December 8, 2011 

Bee’s Favourite (Hair) Things: Curlformers!

I’m back to let y’all know about another one of my favourite hair tools – the “hair curling revolution” known as Curlformers. I had never used anything like Curlformers in my life, but once I got the hang of them, I never wanted them to go away! Let me start by showing you an “after” pic, and then I’ll explain more about how I love these funny little things so…

Bee in Fall of 2009

Do you see those lovely ringlets? Let me tell you. Whenever I did a Curlformers set, I was NEVER disappointed (welllll, that’s a lie – but I’ll get to that later). First, let me answer the important questions:

What are Curlformers?

Curlformers are unique hair curling tools that look like mesh spirals:

Using a colour-coded system, Curlformers generally come in combos of short/long and narrow/wide, so you are able to get tighter or looser curls, keeping the length of your hair in mind. Salon kit packs (24-46 Curlformers) also come with a funky looking hook, which you use to pull your hair through the Curlformer.

How do you use Curlformers?

I won’t lie – the first time or two that I used the Curlformers, I nearly threw them away in a fit of tears. Me being a generally clumsy and awkward person, I just couldn’t get the hang of the Curlforming process. But I finally did, and if I can get it, you can get it. Trust me.

You use Curlformers after washing, conditioning, THOROUGHLY detangling your hair, and applying your choice of setting product. Split your head into four quadrants, and within each quadrant, you will section off small parts to be curled. For me, “small” meant no bigger than the width of my ring finger, but trial and error will always help you.

The key to Curlformers is that your hair is curled inside the tool, not on top of it like traditional rollers. Here’s the quick process:

Insert the hook into the Curlformer.

Twist the root of your hair. Just the root!

Place the hook around the root of your hair (where you twisted), and while holding on to the top of the Curlformer, gently pull the hook (and your hair) through the Curlformer.

Sound complicated? It might be at first. Check this great video by Mae of Natural Chica to see it in detail (go right to 2:55 for the hooking process). Trust me – you will get the hang of it!

YouTube Preview Image

Once you have your whole head set, you might look something like this:

Now what do you do? You let it dry. COMPLETELY. There’s nothing worse than setting your hair and getting impatient. You’re left with damp, limp, frizzy, pitiful curls. If you’re lucky enough to own a hooded dryer, use it! If not, you can blow dry (not my favourite for the whole head), or you can plan to spend a day at home and let them air dry. For me, I would pick a Saturday when I had nothing to do outside the house, wash and set in the morning, and wear them all day. For good measure I would sleep in the Curlformers, and take them out the next morning. They’re not the most comfy things to sleep in, but you can work it. 99% of the time I air dry. I’m completely dry in about 24 hours, but you have to do what works for you. Again, it’s all trial and error.

Once you’ve sufficiently dried your Curlformer set, it’s time to take them out and rock your spirals! The take-down is easy:

Pinch the root of your hair with your thumb and forefinger of one hand and hold it taught. With the other hand, pinch the top of the Curlformer and simply slide it down your hair.

And that’s it! Shake the curls out to cover your parts, and you’re good to go!

Lawd PLEASE forgive me for these bathroom photos…lol! These were just for my personal documentation back in 2009. If I had known they’d eventually be on my blog, chiiiiile…

Tips?

  • Ensure that your hair is wet enough to have enough slip to slide through the Curlformer. I would always have to re-wet my hair as I went along, as dry hair will not slide through and set smoothly.
  • Try NOT looking in the mirror! Because of my poor coordination, I found it easier to Curlform my hair without looking in the mirror. I have a bad habit of telling my hubby to go left while pointing right when he’s driving…so I have some directional issues.
  • If you start removing your Curlformers and realize your hair is not dry, dampen it with some water and setting product, and re-curl it. You may have to get the blowdryer out to speed up the process, or spend a bit more time at home. For me, detangling and drying, even more so than any setting product, is the key to smooth, long-lasting curls.
  • Don’t make your sections too thick – you’ll know, because your hair will not slide through the Curlformer. Plus, it’ll take forever to dry!
  • It takes time at first, but you WILL get it! And it WILL be worth it! My quickest set (not including wash/detangle time) has been around 45 minutes. Two episodes of Martin on DVD and I’m done.

Where can I find Curlformers? And how much are they?

I bought my Curlformers here in Toronto at Sally Beauty Supply for -gulp- $69.99. Yes, I paid that much. But 2 years later, I still have them, they’re still intact, and they still work perfectly! You may find a better deal on eBay, but other online vendors I’ve seen are around the same price as Sally. Overall, I have to say Curlformers were definitely worth the investment for me!

Have you tried Curlformers? If yes, did you love them as much as me? If you’re curious, but wary because of price/time/any other concern and want some more info, let me know!

December 6, 2011 

Transitioning Tips Part Two: Take Your Time!

Yesterday, I covered Transitioning Tips Part One, and focused on my ladies who took the quick Big Chop route to get rid of their relaxed hair. For me, “Big Chop” = cutting off relaxed hair to wear your natural, but it can be done right away or after a longer period of transitioning. My “big chop” came a year after I stopped relaxing my hair. While I thought that would be a better plan for me than cutting it all off right away, doing a long-term transition comes with its own set of challenges.

If You’re Going To Wait It Out…

  1. Figure out what transitional style you’ll use. 
  • Braids or kinky twists with extensions? Great for putting your hair away and letting it do what it do. However, be careful to not have your hair braided too tightly, especially around fragile edges.
  • Weaves are another great option. Similar to braids, ensure that your own hair isn’t weaved too tightly, and be sure to properly clean your scalp to avoid mildew and product build-up that will stunt your hair growth. Check out this post here for some more info on weave hair care.
  • Want to wear your hair out? It’s doable! Roller sets/rod sets are great for creating a uniform style between your two textures – but don’t forget the importance of not using excessive heat! Twist-outs and braid-outs after washing your hair will give you another great option, minus the heat factor. Flat ironing is my least favourite style due to the high possibility of heat damage to your natural hair…so if you take that route, beware!
                         
       2. Watch your growth as you go.
  • At least every 2-3 months, make sure to trim off some of the relaxed ends – this is the longest length of time that you should leave weave, braids, or kinky twists in before re-doing them.
  • Before re-doing your hair style, make sure to give your hair a good deep treatment, and rest for a couple of days before re-braiding/twisting.
  • If you don’t already have a wide-tooth comb in your arsenal, get one! As your natural hair grows, you will have to treat it with care. Wide-tooth combs will help you to detangle your hair without causing damage.
  • Get familiar with your hair’s demarcation line. This is the point where your two textures meet, and is the most fragile part of your hair. Trimming regularly will keep you from damaging what will be the ends of your “new” hair, and will also help you to avoid ridiculous tangling when washing. Don’t hang on to your relaxed ends for too long – it will just cause more problems down the line.

Did you take the long route to embracing your natural hair? What transitional styles did you use, and did you run into any problems? If you have any tips for long-term transitioners, leave them below!

November 28, 2011 

Salon Reviews: Pearson Lanes Hair Studio

I feel good, y’all. You know why? Because I think I’ve found my new hair home!

I’ve found a stylist who works with my hair SO WELL – and the results are always on point! Allow me to introduce you to the work of Keren at Pearson Lanes Hair Studio in Whitby, ON.

I first met Keren back in April, when she was hired to be the hairstylist for my cousin’s wedding. As I was a bridesmaid, she hooked me up with an awesome side-swept style with luscious curls (see pic 1 above). My hair was already flat-ironed, and she whipped that style into shape in no time. Whatever tactics she used enabled the style to last for DAYS, and my hair had zero heat damage.

For my own wedding in August, I knew I had to have Keren on board. She came solo and took care of myself and the bridal party with no problems. She was able to manipulate hair of various texture (natural, weaved, permed) into gorgeous styles that held up on that hot summer day. You can see my retro curled updo in pics 2 and 3, and my niece’s cornrow/twist combo in pic 4.

This weekend when I needed a trim, I decided to head east to Keren’s shop. I had no issues booking an appointment with her earlier in the week, but it was something she did on Saturday morning that really impressed me:

My appointment was for 2pm. Keren gave me a call around 11:30am, stating that she was running a bit behind with other clients…would I mind coming in half an hour later? I had no problem with that, and was very impressed that she had the forethought to call me in advance so that I didn’t show up at 2pm and then twiddle my thumbs for 30 minutes.

The cute, quaint, and clean shop is easy to find -  just a few minutes drive from the Brock Street exit off the 401. I showed up, and Keren was ready to go! Let me tell you, she did not disappoint! I went in for a simple wash, style, and trim, but the care and knowledge that Keren used made all the difference. No yanking my hair to detangle, no scratching the hell out of my scalp while washing, no burning my hair off with high-heat appliances, and no mistaking a “trim” for a “haircut”!

I almost let out a sigh of relief when I left the salon (did I mention that I didn’t leave broke either?) – I felt like I finally found a professional who I can trust with my hair, and THAT is hard to find these days. Next up for Keren and I? My long-awaited colour…in light of the recent news about harmful PPD products in hair dye (like my girl Ro talked about here), Keren confirmed that all of her professional hair colour products are PPD free!

If you’re looking for a versatile stylist, especially my natural-haired ladies, you might want to give Keren a try! Check out Pearson Lanes Hair Studio’s Facebook page here, and if you have any other questions, feel free to hit me up!

Older Entries »